Deontay Wilder says it will be different this time. He might be right but only if he plays to his strengths.
Wilder is an on-top fighter. When things are going his way he dominates. He doesn’t like pressure, being bullied and overwhelmed.
That’s what Fury did to him in the second fight and you can bet your bottom dollar he will try to do the same in Las Vegas this weekend.
Wilder simply has to throw punches, go get him. It is the same message I sent to Anthony Joshua before and after the defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
Wilder is not going to outfox or outbox Fury. He is too clever, has good feet and knows how to get out of the way.
Fury is going to come in heavy and try to do the bullying himself. But he knows he will have to be cagey early on.
That is Wilder’s cue. He has to start quickly and throw leather.
Fury has been down a number of times against not particularly noted punchers. If Wilder catches him clean Fury will go over.
He had him down twice in the first fight in Los Angeles. That is what new trainer Malik Scott will have been working on, closing down space and applying intelligent pressure.
Against Fury you close the ring down. If he moves to his right you step across his lead foot to cut the exit route and throw a left hook.
If he moves to his left he is walking on to a straight right or hook, but only if you anticipate and get across him.
If he jabs you jab with him. And as soon as you touch something you know you are in punching range. That is the moment to let that big right hand go.
Will Tyson Fury beat Deontay Wilder again? Predict the result here
As soon as you hit with the right you let the left hook go. If Wilder does that correctly Fury will be under the cosh.
Wilder showed his explosiveness in first fight but he didn’t close it out. With that remarkable recovery Fury won the psychological battle.
This fight won’t go the distance. Fury for me in the championship rounds.
Liam Smith and Anthony Fowler in Liverpool is a worthy warm-up for the big show Las Vegas.
Fowler has found his form since training with Shane. Smith thinks he is the better man.
We disagree but Fowler has to prove it. That’s what makes this fight-of-the-night material.
Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone, @McGuigans_Gym and @CyclonePromo
